The Straw Based Mushroom Bag is a completely self contained environment for the incubation and fruiting of straw and grass loving mushrooms.

This latest bag formula has been developed for more substantial yields from mushrooms that prefer straw based substrates over grain based substrates. This formulation design proves to be more usable by live cultures. The bag is shipped with all air removed for easy packing.

The spore syringe or culture is NOT included with the bag and must be purchased separately.

To use, simply unfold the Bag, allowing the extra material to stand straight up.

Locate the small foam disk sealed and attached in a plastic housing near the base of the Bag. This disc is the self-healing injector site. Note: The disc will be covered by a small plastic shield. Do not attempt to remove the plastic covering the disc, you will inject through it. Sterilize a small section of the outside of the Bag (on the plastic shield) directly over the foam disc with an alcohol soaked wipe. With the same alcohol soaked wipe, sterilize the needle on your culture syringe.

Inoculate the substrate (material inside the bag) with culture syringe solution by inserting the needle through the plastic shield and foam disc at the previously sterilized spot. Squirt 1cc of culture solution directly into the substrate material.

DO NOT insert the needle through the white filter patch found near the top of the Bag.

Place the Bag(s) in a dark location and incubate at species specific parameters. It is recommend to store the Bag fully extended as developing Mycelia will give off gases that will slowly expand the interior of the Bag. This ballooning effect is crucial for proper air exchange and culture development.

Note: During drier summer months it is advisable to store the Bag in a humid location. Excessively dry environments may draw moisture from the Bag.

Because colonization will begin in the interior of the substrate material it may take between 14-20 days for you to notice the spreading of colonizing mycelium towards the outside of the Bag. Speed of colonization is directly affected by incubation temperatures, please check to make sure you are incubating the bag at the correct temperature for the species you are attempting to cultivate. Typical colonization time is between 21-30 days for most species and strains when incubated properly.

When colonization is 90% or 100% complete, move Bag(s) to a location with indirect light (indoor light or filtered sunlight is best). Allow the Bags to receive 12 hours of indirect light per day (direct fluorescent lighting works as well).

Some specimens, such as the Golden Oyster (Pl. citrinopileatus), perform better if the colonized Bag is punctured several times on the side at substrate level. Only puncture the Bag after 100% colonization is achieved (ie the entire bag is white with healthy mycelium). This allows the Oyster mushrooms pins to form in a more suitable non-air restrictive environment. Placing a makeshift humidity tent over the Bag, or placing the Bag into a humidity chamber while the Oysters are fruiting is highly recommended. For best results, the Bag may also be cut above the substrate level and the remaining bottom portion (with substrate in tact) placed in a humidity chamber.

Tested and proven, this all you need to begin your journey in the art and science of mushroom cultivation.